In a strange echo of 2019, investigations have been launched into the White House’s relationship with Ukraine, and calls have been made for the ambassador to resign. But this time, it’s Republicans investigating a Democratic administration, and Ukraine’s ambassador to the US (not the other way around) is under scrutiny.
On Sunday, Gov. Josh Shapiro gave Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a tour of a Scranton ammunition plant that produces 155-millimeter howitzer rounds that are key to Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself against a Russian invasion. Also present were Sen. Bob Casey and Rep. Matt Cartwright, both Pennsylvania Democrats running for reelection.
Now some senior Republican members of Congress are protesting, saying the visit was actually a campaign event for Vice President Kamala Harris.
On Wednesday, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) wrote a letter to Zelensky demanding the release of Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova because of the visit.
“The venue was in a politically contested state, was run by Kamala Harris’ top political surrogate, and did not include a single Republican because — intentionally — no Republicans were invited,” Johnson wrote. “The tour was clearly a partisan campaign event intended to help Democrats and is blatant election interference.”
Johnson’s request comes after House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced he would investigate “whether the Biden-Harris Administration attempted to use a foreign leader to benefit Vice President Harris’ presidential campaign and whether, if so, it engaged in an abuse of power.”
A spokesman for Shapiro did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Neither did a spokesman for the Harris campaign.
It’s not the first time Zelensky has found himself at the center of a U.S. investigation into potential abuse of power by a president. Comer’s letter announcing his investigation begins with a reference to the 2019 impeachment of then-President Donald Trump over accusations that he threatened to withhold funding from Ukraine until the country investigated the Biden family. Trump was ultimately acquitted by the Republican-majority Senate.
This election cycle, support for Ukraine’s defensive war against Russia has become a key dividing issue between the candidates. Harris has made clear that she believes the U.S. should continue to support Ukraine. Trump, who has previously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, has said he will end the war, though he has provided few details about how. His vice presidential candidate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), has previously criticized U.S. support for Ukraine. He recently unveiled a “peace plan” to end the war that critics say is too flexible toward Russia.
Pennsylvania has the second largest percentage of Ukrainians relative to the state’s total population.
